NHL Power Rankings: Panthers up to No. 2, Blackhawks move into top 5

It's a new year, and 2016 is shaping up to be a banner one in the NHL. The Florida Panthers are once again Cinderella, the Washington Capitals are historically good, and the Chicago Blackhawks are rounding into Stanley Cup form.

Let's rank.

1. Washington Capitals
(Last Week: 1)

Washington's winning percentage in 2015 came in at .699. The Capitals didn't lose back-to-back games once from Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2015. Yeah.

Most Wins in First 36 Games - NHL History1929-30 Bruins 31 2015-16 Capitals 28 2012-13 Penguins 28

- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 31, 2015

2. Florida Panthers a-^2
(Last Week: 5)

The Panthers are so good, folks in Southern Florida are going to the arena to watch them play.

Related: Why the Panthers are the hottest team in the NHL

3. Los Angeles Kings
(Last Week: 3)

Jonathan Quick in December: 10-2 with a .929 save percentage and two shutouts. His play makes it easier to accept that Dustin Brown and Marian Gaborik - and their combined $10.75-million cap hit - are passengers.

4. Dallas Stars a-1/4
(Last Week: 2)

Only the Winnipeg Jets have allowed more goals (115) than the Stars (113) in the Central Division. And the Jets have two games in hand.

5. Chicago Blackhawks a-^2
(Last Week: 7)

You weren't actually worried about the Blackhawks' 6-5 October, were you?

6. Minnesota Wild
(Last Week: 6)

Check out Devan Dubnyk's splits:

Any concerns in October after Dubnyk's long-term extension can be put to rest. He's a No. 1 goalie, and a very good one.

7. New York Islanders a-^2
(Last Week: 8)

Kyle Okposo has a $2.8-million cap hit and is leading the team in scoring while playing out his contract. Mikhail Grabovski ($5-million cap hit, 18 points in 40 games) and Nikolay Kulemin ($4.18-million cap hit, 13 points in 40 games) are third-liners, and their cap hits rank second and third on the team among forwards, behind only John Tavares. That's, uh, troubling.

8. St. Louis Blues a-1/4
(Last Week: 4)

It's a little bit crazy that this Blues team can't score. Also, this was one of the best tweets of 2015:

Tarasenko drinking Perrier on the bench.

- James Mirtle (@mirtle) December 6, 2015

9. New York Rangers a-^2
(Last Week: 12)

Happy new year people!! I wish you all the best in 2016!! I know what I want.. lets go get it! #NYR

- Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) December 31, 2015

10. Boston Bruins a-1/4
(Last Week: 9)

The Bruins disgraced Gillette Stadium.

11. Detroit Red Wings
(Last Week: 11)

Petr Mrazek facts: He has a .926 save percentage, is set to enter restricted free agency on July 1, and he's better than Jimmy Howard.

12. Montreal Canadiens a-^2
(Last Week: 14)

The Canadiens scored three goals in a defeat Tuesday for the first time since Nov. 11 - a span of 14 losses. Welcome back, Brendan Gallagher.

13. Tampa Bay Lightning
(Last Week: 13)

You would have thought Tampa Bay's season couldn't get any crazier, and then it's revealed Jonathan Drouin requested a trade in November. Godspeed, Steve Yzerman.

Related: 3 potential landing spots for Drouin

Drouin's tied with Henrik Sedin, Pavel Datsyk, Jake Voracek, and Jordan Eberle in rate of production at 5v5 since entering the league.

- Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) January 2, 2016

14. Nashville Predators a-1/4
(Last Week: 10)

Roman Josi and Shea Weber are all-world defensemen, but you're in trouble if they're one-two in team scoring. And Pekka Rinne's down to a .908 save percentage.

15. New Jersey Devils a-^2
(Last Week: 18)

Cory Schneider is the best goalie in the NHL no one talks about.

16. Ottawa Senators a-1/4
(Last Week: 15)

It's good to have Bobby Ryan back.

17. Pittsburgh Penguins a-^2
(Last Week: 21)

Points in four straight and six of their last seven, and Sidney Crosby's got 12 points in his last eight games. In fact, Crosby's scored in four straight, and has six goals in his last six games. He had six goals in his previous 32 games.

18. Colorado Avalanche a-1/4
(Last Week: 16)

The Avalanche have a better goal differential than the Blues, Predators, and every team but the Kings in the Pacific. Perhaps there's more to Patrick Roy than just evil. Also: Congratulations, Jarome Iginla.

Related: 3 reasons Iginla's a lock for the Hall of Fame

19. Arizona Coyotes a-^2
(Last Week: 22)

John Scott, All-Star. Say it out loud. Write it down, if you have to. It's happening.

20. Anaheim Ducks a-1/4
(Last Week: 19)

Points in six straight, and John Gibson's won four in a row. He's an All-Star, and will be in the crease in the second half.

21. Calgary Flames a-1/4
(Last Week: 20)

Johnny Gaudreau's going to be playing with John Scott at the All-Star Game. That should be ... something.

22. San Jose Sharks a-1/4
(Last Week: 17)

Martin Jones is trending in the wrong direction:

He's only played one game in January, so that sample is the furthest from complete, but the trend remains worrisome nonetheless.

23. Philadelphia Flyers
(Last Week: 23)

Jakub Voracek's on pace for nine goals. His salary next season: $10 million.

24. Toronto Maple Leafs a-^2
(Last Week: 27)

As The Globe and Mail's James Mirtle wrote Sunday, what Mike Babcock's doing in Toronto is nothing short of remarkable - "He's earned his paycheque so far."

25. Winnipeg Jets
(Last Week: 25)

Winnipeg finally has itself a goalie in Connor Hellebuyck.

26. Carolina Hurricanes a-1/4
(Last Week: 24)

Justin Faulk remains the light amid the darkness.

27. Edmonton Oilers a-^2
(Last Week: 29)

Connor's comin'.

28. Vancouver Canucks
(Last Week: 28)

why god why pic.twitter.com/b6tuhXIXpI

- Stephanie (@myregularface) January 5, 2016

29. Columbus Blue Jackets a-^2
(Last Week: 30)

Zach Werenski's play at the World Junior Hockey Championship is something to look forward to in a lost season.

30. Buffalo Sabres a-1/4
(Last Week: 26)

The Sabres have lost six in a row, and were outscored 18-9, but, well, this is more important:

Jack Eichel now has 12 points in his past 8 games. #CalderWatch

- Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) January 6, 2016

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